Apple rumored to release their own app-tracking utility for iOS developers

WWDC is right around the corner, and though we're expecting lots of iOS 6 news and maybe some Apple TV stuff, there's apparently going to be yet another goodie for developers at the show: a means by which devs can see how their customers are using apps all Big Brother style. There are existing approaches used by outside QA departments and marketing firms that have an uncertain future now that UDIDs are being put out of reach, but an Apple-made solution could provide them with all of the information they need while being conscientious of user privacy.

The scope of the utility hasn't been made entirely clear, but given user data is important for mobile advertising, bug tracking, and app functionality, one would expect Apple will be opening the doors fairly wide. Of course, it could also mean that Apple will begin monopolizing access to user information, but honestly, I'd rather Apple have it and dole it out to ad companies as they need it rather than relying on developers and marketers to make their own data farming techniques that would likely be less secure than anything Apple would make.

Privacy is obviously huge on everybody's mind, especially in light of this week's LinkedIn breaches, but on a day-to-day basis, it's expected that our information is being shipped off somewhere; even if you aren't using apps, your location is being tracked to some degree by your wireless carrier as you hop from cell tower to cell tower. How much value to you place on your privacy? Do you trust Apple to handle your personal information with due care, or would you rather they simply block all outside parties from seeing how and where you use your apps? Developers, how much of a user data do you really need to keep your apps up and running?